Andrea Nero, MS, RD, LDN – Rhode Island

Are you struggling – without relief – from chronic diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fibromyalgia, or migraine? You may have sensitivities to certain foods in your diet. The role of reactive foods in chronic, inflammation-related pain conditions is under-appreciated but gaining recognition.

In the past, an elimination diet by trial and error was required to figure out which foods may be triggering certain symptoms. Now, with advances in food sensitivity screening, the trial and guesswork can be replaced with a personalized roadmap.

All of these conditions have varying levels of immune activation in common, much of which occurs in the gut. Food intolerance can develop and add to a cycle of chronic inflammation. Identification and removal of reactive foods and chemicals for a short-term, structured period may help to reduce this cycle.

Thorough medical evaluations for chronic and persistent symptoms are always advised. However, if good medical workups fail to find a cause, yet your symptoms persist, you may benefit greatly by looking to diet as a missing piece of the puzzle.

A trained dietitian with expertise in a directed elimination diet can help bridge the gap between what you eat and how you feel. This practice finds the MRT test very helpful in both screening for food sensitivity and providing a customized meal plan that may help you feel better. (http://wp.me/PvPaO-E)

MRT results are accompanied by the LEAP diet protocol for optimal outcomes for each individual. LEAP stands for Lifestyle, Eating And Performance as this protocol was originally tested in athletes to improve pain, fatigue and athletic performance. It is a very structured, clinically tested approach to determine degree of food involvement in an individual’s symptoms.